Graphic Design Using Color

Color is everywhere and conveys a message even if we don't
realize it. While this message can vary by culture it pays to know what
colors "say" in your own corner of the universe, and even what color means
to your target market.

If you don't think that color speaks just complete this
sentence, "red means ---- and green means ?" even a child will know what
red means stop and green means go. If such simple ideas work for all of a
given culture or market what could it mean to the graphic design of your
website, brochure, or product if you know some of this information.

First let's start with the basics. The color wheel. We've
all seen it. The color wheel shows the basic colors, each wheel is
different in how many shades of each color is shown, but they are
essentially the same.

Color harmony, colors that go together well. These will be
colors that are next door to each other on the color wheel. Such as blue
and green. In reference to clothes these colors match each other.
Instinctively most of us know which colors go together when we dress
ourselves every morning.

Color complements, colors that set each other off, they
complement each other. These are colors that are opposite on the color
wheel. Such as blue and orange.

Color depth, colors can recede or jump forward. Remember
that some colors seem to fall back such as blue, black, dark green, and
brown. Other colors will seem to step forward such as white, yellow, red,
and orange. This is why if you have a bright orange background it may seem
to fight with any text or images that you place on it. The orange will
always seem to move forward.

Now you have the basics so let's go further. Just because
to colors go together or complement each other doesn't mean that yo
necessarily want to use them on your project. I opened this article with
the meaning of colors now here is an example, keep in mind this is one
example from western culture.

Color Survey: what respondents said colors mean to them.

Happy = Yellow Inexpensive = Brown

Pure = White Powerful = Red (tomato)

Good Luck = green Dependable = Blue

Good tasting = Red (tomato) High Quality = Black

Dignity = Purple Nausea = Green

Technology = Silver Deity = White

Sexiness = Red (tomato) Bad Luck = Black

Mourning = Black Favorite color = Blue

Expensive = Gold Least favorite color = Orange

So in designing your project it's important to know what
colors mean. You can now see why a black back ground with green type would
be bad, beyond being nearly impossible to read, if your target market
thinks that black represents mourning and green makes them sick. There are
exceptions to every rule of course.

So you may want to include some research in what colors
mean to your target market. Colors that would get the attention of a teen
would probably annoy an older person and the colors that appeal to the
older person wouldn't get a second look from a young person.

Color may be one of the most overlooked aspects of design.

Copyright 2004 Kelly Paal Kelly Paal is a Freelance Nature
and Landscape Photographer, exhibiting nationally and internationally.
Recently she started her own business Kelly Paal Photography (www.kellypaalphotography.com).
She has an educational background in photography, business, and commercial
art. She enjoys applying graphic design and photography principles to her
web design.